Clark International Airport may partially operate today — CEO

A magnitude 6.1 quake that shook parts of Luzon on Monday, April 22, 2019, inflicted heavy damage to the Clark International Airport. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Clark International Airport may partially resume its operations on Tuesday depending on the assessment of authorities, Chief Executive Officer Jaime Melo said.

This was after the airport was forced to close due to damages it sustained after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Castillejos in Zambales on Monday afternoon.

“Once we have decided kung ano ang ire-repair natin for partial operations, we will do so and we will announce partial operations within the day,” he said during a press briefing outside the airport in Clark, Pampanga.

READ: Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes parts of Luzon

Depending on the situation, normal operations may resume on Wednesday, according to Melo.

“Most probably, ang assessment ko, bukas po talaga kami pwedeng mag-bukas.  We will try for partial operations within the day, depende po sa assessment,” he added.

After the earthquake, it was reported that the ceiling of the airport’s check-in lobby collapsed, leaving at least seven persons injured.  The airport was forced to shut down to allow engineers to check on the extent of the damages.

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Melo noted that electric power has been restored, although they have restricted supply to areas where live wires are hanging.  Despite the incident, assessors have not seen any significant damage to the airport’s air traffic tower, the runway, and its tarmac.

“Ang airport power, 100 percent na po may power ang airport hindi lang namin pinaandar ‘yong power sa counters kasi nakalaylay po ‘yong mga electrical wires,” Melo explained.

“The good news is the tower can be operated, wala pong substantial damage yung tower, the runway and the apron and the taxiways are all sound so wala pong problema sa horizontal or sa road surface ng airports.  Sa vertical ‘yong tower is already declared safe,” he added. /jpv